Temple has lofty goals for 2010

When a reference was made recently about his status as an all-Mid-American Conference first-teamer, Temple linebacker Elijah Joseph didn't want to hear it.

"That was last year," said the 6-foot-2, 240-pound native of Hartford, Conn.

With Temple getting ready for a 2010 season that kicks off on Sept. 3 against Villanova in the Mayor's Cup at Lincoln Financial Field, Joseph and his teammates are working toward finishing a job partially left undone last year.

The Owls, who were 9-4 in 2009 and won a school single-season record of nine straight on their way to the program's first winning season since 1990, fell short of a berth in the MAC title game because of a defeat in the regular-season finale at Ohio. And despite a strong effort against UCLA in the EagleBank Bowl in Washington, Temple lost, 30-21.

While accomplishments such as finishing second in the MAC in total defense, first in rush defense, tied for first in sacks, and fourth in scoring defense helped them to a co-championship in the East Division, the Owls have loftier goals for 2010.

Temple, which made its first postseason appearance in 30 years, is the preseason favorite to take the MAC championship this year. Winning the title could land the Owls in a bigger and more prestigious bowl game.

"We're challenging each other and building camaraderie," said Joseph, who is the Owls' middle linebacker after playing on the outside last year. "We're looking at what we need to work on, and continuing to do what we do best."

Joseph will be joined in Temple's front seven by tackle Muhammad Wilkerson and end Adrian Robinson, who both also were first-team all-MAC in 2009. Also back at linebacker is third-teamer Amara Kamara.

The 6-2, 250-pound Robinson, who was named MAC defensive player of the year after leading the league in sacks with 13, and in forced fumbles with five, credited three-time all-conference nose tackle Andre Neblett for making his job easier.

But Neblett is now in an NFL preseason camp with the Carolina Panthers, and moving into the nose tackle spot is 6-3, 288-pound Elisha Joseph, the twin brother of Elijah Joseph.

The 6-5, 305-pound Wilkerson, who is built like a brick wall, can expect to see a lot of double-teams this year.

"Andre was a big help last year, because he took on a lot of double-teams, and that kind of freed me and Adrian up a lot," Wilkerson said. "But I think me and Elisha can get the job done on the inside. If I do get double-teamed, I know I'm doing something for the team."

Temple coach Al Golden, entering his fifth season with the Owls, took over the team when it was coming off an 0-11 season and had little or no depth. After fielding the youngest team in the nation his first two seasons, Golden now has a lot of experience and competition in the defensive line and linebacker positions.

"This is the first time the biggest battles are between the [second- and third-team candidates]," said Golden, whose teams went 1-11, 4-8, and 5-7 in his first three seasons. "The biggest battle used to be with the first team, because we had no depth. And the second-team guys weren't always second-team players. But they were just what we had."

Notes. As of Monday, five other players from the 2009 Owls were on NFL rosters. They are defensive back Dominique Harris (Buffalo Bills), linebacker Alex Joseph (Green Bay Packers), tight end Steve Maneri (Houston Texans), defensive end Brian Sanford (Cleveland Browns) and offensive lineman Devin Tyler (Baltimore Ravens). Alex Joseph is not related to the Joseph twins.